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Skagit County commissioners vote to disband Boundary Review Board
Summary
The Skagit County Board of Commissioners voted 3-0 to dissolve the local Boundary Review Board, following a multi-year review and an amendment to Countywide Planning Policy 12.17. Commissioners said state Growth Management Act processes reduce the board's role; one resident urged more study.
The Skagit County Board of Commissioners voted 3-0 Tuesday to disband the county's Washington State Boundary Review Board, adopting a resolution that implements Countywide Planning Policy 12.17 and references RCW 36.93.230.
Robbie Eckroth, senior planner with Planning and Development Services, summarized the background before the vote. "We are here today to consider disbanding the Boundary Review Board," Eckroth said, and described a multi-year process that included Skagit Council of Governments discussion beginning in 2020, a Planning Commission recommendation and adoption of a Countywide Planning Policy amendment in December 2024 (Ordinance O2024-00010) directing dissolution by June 2025.
Eckroth told the commissioners the board's functions, particularly review of annexations, have been increasingly duplicated by the Growth Management Act and related county and city planning processes. He said changes to special-purpose-district boundaries after disbandment would still follow state law and vary by district type: "It depends on the special purpose district types. So, fire districts are different than dike districts, and are different than water districts, and it depends what type of boundary changes occurring."
Patrick Donnelly, who identified himself from Dalvin Hill, urged caution. "I think this needs to be reconsidered a little bit further in a little bit more detail," Donnelly said, noting concerns that eliminating the Boundary Review Board could reduce protections for small property owners and make it easier for cities to expand. He asked whether the change primarily benefits cities or county operations.
Commissioners discussed existing statutory and procedural safeguards for annexation and urban growth area changes under the Growth Management Act, including petitions, owner-election methods and urban growth area amendments subject to county review and appeals to the Growth Management Hearings Board. Commissioner Wiesen and others stressed there remains a public process and statutory checks on boundary changes.
The commissioners then moved and seconded a resolution to disband the Boundary Review Board "as provided RCW 36.93.230." After brief comments, the chair called for the vote: "All those in favor of the motion to disband the Boundary Review Board as outlined by Commissioner Leeson signify by saying 'aye.'" The clerk recorded the motion as carried 3 to 0.
The county will implement the disbandment consistent with the Skagit Council of Governments framework agreement and the Countywide Planning Policy amendment adopted in December 2024. Eckroth said staff drafted a resolution for the board's consideration and remain available to answer follow-up questions.
No formal appeals, timelines for transferring any pending cases, or specific transition steps were described during the meeting; commissioners and staff said the statutory processes for boundary changes remain in place and would govern future petitions and elections.
The commissioners adjourned the item and proceeded to the next scheduled presentations.
